Sometimes it’s not the technical challenges that are the biggest when it comes to solar installation. This is what one San Francisco professional found out when he proposed solarizing the roof of his home. Our customer owned the lower residence in a two unit condo. Understandably, the owner of the upper unit was concerned that the weight of the solar array would stress the roof and cause it to leak.

CCEnergy incorporates weight bearing analyses in all its designs, and this one was no exception. This system design included the attachment of stanchions to each rafter, so that the weight of the solar array would spread out evenly over the entire roof. Before installation, CCEnergy took the time to negotiate with the neighbor, as well as with the building’s roofer to guarantee that the roof could withstand the load, ensuring that all stakeholders were happy. This is the “cooperative” advantage of Cooperative Community Energy.